Celtics-Heat gear up for crucial Game 5

For the first time in a very long time no Boston sports teams were in action. The Bruins were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs over a month ago, the Red Sox had an off day in Boston before taking on the Orioles tonight at Fenway, and the Celtics traveled to Miami for Game 5 of their series with the Heat, which is tied at two games apiece.

With the series tied at two, it is now a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals. Game 5 is tonight at 8:30 airing on ESPN, with local pre and postgame coverage on CSN.

Celtics have taken fifth before- Chris Forsberg has the Celtics fairing very well in Game 5’s under Doc Rivers. Since 2008 when their series’ are tied at two, the Celtics are a perfect 8-0 in Game 5’s.

LeBron’s no big shot- Gerry Callahan looks at LeBron James and his talents on the court make him one of the league’s all-time greats, but he hasn’t proven that he is clutch by making big shots down the stretch of big games.

The other big story in Boston has been Tim Thomas and his future next year. Through posting on his Facebook page it appears that the Bruins goaltender will be taking a year off from hockey, to focus on “the three F’s: Friends, Family and Faith.” A few back Thomas, while many have ripped Thomas saying that it is all business, a way to get back at the Bruins.

Thomas not forcing trade- Fluto Shinzawa speaks with Thomas’ agent and he says that his player is not doing this to get a new contract, or force a trade.

Thomas goes wrong way- Stephen Harris looks back at Thomas’ career, searching for answers as to why he would want to take the next year off.

Monday night was the first round of the MLB Draft. Although not a very big event for fans, it is critical in the development of teams’ farm systems. Alex Speier of WEEI.com is by far the most knowledgeable of the Red Sox’ farm system and draft among members of the Boston media and is a must follow for this week and as the signing deadline gets closer later in the summer.

Saw a little of the Thomas discussion on Sports Tonight this morning (replay), and Felger says “Can you imagine anyone walking away from the Patriots with a year left on his contract, when they are set up to contend like the Bruins are?” Um yeah I can, his name is Matt Light. He just retired with one year left on his contact even though the Patriots look ready to make another SB run. He also just had one of his best years as a pro, and he walked away. Matt Light must be out of his mind. Or maybe this just proves once again that when a media member has an axe to grind, they grind it.

tl;138

And didn’t Deion Branch, for all intents and purposes, walk away from the Pats with a year left on his deal?

J.R.

Felger and his ilk also conveniently either forget or are so awful at their “jobs” (the latter gets my vote) to know that there are more than a few examples of players who have left their respective sports when they were still considered at the top of their games: Jim Brown, Sandy Koufax, and — locally — Tom Heinsohn all come quickly to mind. And, all were younger than Thomas.

But, as Frank points out, when the owners of the keyboards and airways have an axe to grind or an “edgy” narrative/stooooory line to advance — or if they don’t agree with a player’s politics — they seldom, if ever, let the facts get in the way.

GStill45

I believe Matt Light retired. He didn’t “take a year off.” He took the rest of his career off. I didn’t watch Matt Light’s retirement speech, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t plug his endorsements during it either.

Mpc464

Agreed. It has nothing to do with TT’s politics, as Ordway keeps harping on, but the fact that Light retired while TT’s taking a year off. Huge difference.

Frank

I’m pretty sure this is Tim Thomas retiring. The only definite that we have heard is that he wants to play for the US team in the 2014 Olympics. Maybe he feels like if he officially retires that will hurt his chances of making the team, whereas if he simply takes a year off his chances improve. Either way the point was would someone just walk away from a championship caliber team? And the answer is yes. Retiring or taking a year off, whatever you want to call it is just semantics.

http://www.thepokergrind.com/ Cammartin

Come on Boston! I live in FL and I am so tired of hearing about the big three….blah..blah…blah we haven’t won crap but we’re so great blah..blah..blah…that’s all I hear all day. Please make it stop!! GO CELTICS!!

tl;138

It’s got to suck being a Heat fan since everyone has to wear a white shirt to the game. I bet a bunch of fans have to throw those shirts away after they get stained by hotdog condiments and spilled beer.